Which to gladd the hearers he woulde men to tyke yt.
This matter he abrevited into playes twenty-foure,
And every playe of the matter gave but a taste,
Leavinge for better learninge the scircumstance to accomplishe;
For all his proceedinges maye appeare to be in haste,
Yet all together unprofitable his labour he did not waste;
For at this daye & ever he deserveth the fame
Which all monkes deserves, professinge that name.
These storyes of the Testamente at this tyme, you knowe,
In a common Englishe tongue never read nor harde;